ARE THE DAYS OF NOAH HERE AGAIN? Genesis 4:16-26

Intro:  Before Jesus went to the cross to die for our sins; He painted a clear picture of what the world would look like as the end of time approached, Matthew 24-25.  He laid out a clear blueprint for the end of the age and told us that we could know that the end was near when certain characteristics began to be seen in the world, Matthew 24:1-8. 

We may wonder what the passage we have read this morning has to do with the matter of end time prophecy. The answer lies in what Jesus said in Matt. 24:37-39 and Luke 17:26-27.

Today, I want to examine the biblical record of the days of Noah.  If we will take the time to look seriously at the way the world was then and the way it is now, we will see come clear parallels between our world and theirs.  By observing the characteristics that prevailed in Noah’s day, we can determine whether or not the days of Noah are here again.  If they are, then we need to be ready, for our “redemption draweth nigh”, Luke 21:28.

THOSE DAYS WERE CHARACTERIZED:

I.  BY PERVERSION---4:1-15

·        Cain and his bloodless religion.  Cain ignored the plain mandate ordained by God Himself, Gen. 3:21.

·        This same mentality abounds Today – 2 Tim. 3:5 (We are living in days of widespread apostasy, 2 Thes. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 4:3-4.)

II. BY PROSPERITY---4:20

·        In spite of the decline in industry in our country, we are still enjoying unprecedented prosperity.  The median income in America for a family of four is $62,732, according to the last census.  In fact, if you go to places like Wal-Mart and the malls, you wonder who works anymore.  Everyone is spending.  These are days when most people have more than enough.

III.  BY PLEASURE---4:21

·        Americans spent an astounding $9.4 billion on movies in 2004!  That doesn’t take into account the billions spent on other forms of entertainment like sports, music and hobbies.

·        When we were growing up, entertainment consisted of a gun made out of two by fours, a fishing pole and a day at the creek, or just catching June bugs and lightening bugs.  Today, kids have to have Nintendo, PlayStation, Game Boys, computers, CD players, MP3 players, DVD players, etc.  We are a pleasure mad society!

 IV. BY PROGRESS---4:22; 17

.  The ark, Gen. 6:14-16.  The plans were handed down by God, but the boat was built by men.  That kind of achievement required a tremendous amount of technological know how.  Some people believe that the people who existed before the flood were even more advanced than we are today.

 V.  BY POLYGAMY—4:23

·        Here we meet a man named Lamech.  We are told that he married two women.  He is the first person in the record of humanity who took clear steps to undermine the home and the family.  God had set the standard, Gen. 2:18-25.  Lamech was the first to pervert it.  It was a time marked by lust, wanton disregard for God’s will and open sin and perversion.

·     I think it is clear to see that marriage, as the Bible defines it, is under attack today.  The traditional family is being challenged by homosexuality and lesbianism.  Cohabitation is becoming the order of the day. 

VI. BY PRIDE—4:24

·        Lamech declares his value to be far greater than that of his ancestor Cain.  He sets himself up as the be all and the end all of life.  He is the first real humanist.  He sees himself as number one and believes that all his actions are right.  His name means “powerful”, and he lived as if all power resided within him. 

·        The battle cry of the hour is, “Don’t tell me how to live my life.  I will do as I please and answer to no one.”  People refuse to bow to the authority of God or His Word.  They walk in the pride of life and there is not fear of God before their eyes, 1 John 2:16; Rom. 3:18.

 VII. 6:1-13 BY POLLUTION

A.  Social Pollution – Verses 5-6; 11-12 reveal the moral and social climate of that day.  It was a time when men did as they pleased without thought for the welfare or property of others.

B.  Sexual Pollution – It was a time of unequal yokes in marriage, 6:1-4 and tolerance of evil and wicked lifestyles, 4:19-24.

C.  Spiritual Pollution – Verse 12 tells us that men had “corrupted His way upon the earth.”